Multi-agency effort nets 853 lbs marijuana, 3 suspected smugglers

MIAMI — Coast Guard, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Bahamian Police Force crews have interdicted three suspected smugglers off the coast of Andros Island, Bahamas, Wednesday.

The suspects and more than 850 pounds of marijuana, worth a wholesale value of $773,671, were taken into custody following a three-day pursuit of a go-fast vessel across more than 350 miles of ocean.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed in support of Operations Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) spotted the suspect vessel 35 miles north of Cuba Sunday afternoon.

Late Tuesday night, a Coast Guard MH-60 crew assisted a Customs and Border Protection Office of Air Marine aircraft crew in vectoring a Royal Bahamian Police Force boat crew, who ultimately stopped the suspected smugglers and took the three individuals and narcotics into custody.